These Root Factions are the Most Popular

I asked over 250 players to rank the Root factions in an effort to determine which are the most popular. The results surprised me! A bit. They might not surprise you. I guess you'll just have to watch the video and see. Please? Thanks.

Special thanks to Perry, S.P. Shaman, Nitrorev, Lord Of The Board, and everyone who submitted a response!

Timestamps:
0:00 Overview
0:47 Statistics Definitions
2:11 Rank 10
4:20 Rank 9
6:26 Rank 8
8:18 Rank 7
10:25 Rank 6
12:28 Rank 5
14:39 Rank 4
16:35 Rank 3
19:00 Rank 2
21:25 Rank 1
23:32 Summary Graphics
23:45 My Personal Ranking
24:23 Hall of Fame Quotes
25:43 Thanks for Watching!

Root is an asymmetric board game of woodland warfare where various factions compete to rule. Factions include the Marquise de Cat (Cats), Eyrie Dynasties (Birds), Woodland Alliance (WA), Vagabond(s), Riverfolk Company (Otters), Lizard Cult (Lizards), Corvid Conspiracy (Crows), Underground Duchy (Moles), Lord of the Hundreds (Rats), and Keepers in Iron (Badgers). You didn't have to read this, so I'm sorry if you did. I'm not even sure if this helps at all but I spent a lot of time working on this so might as well try it.

[perrygallo]

That was one impressive adjusted mean formula. I didn’t know people could be so smart and talented.

Also, my oh my those mole quotes… I get it.

[AV-nnqx]

As a Cat enjoyer, I feel that every game is improved by their presence, even if I’m not playing as them myself.

[Nevakanezah_]

Crows are the mindgame faction where you only need 1% of your brain

[CriticallyOdd]

It would be interesting to see what factions you like seeing at the table, not necessarily like playing.

Example: I don't like playing as the cats, but I love it when the cats get picked. The Warrior in each clearing creates an immediate sense of tension that generally makes the games feel funner. Like Cats are probably my sixth favorite to play, but one of the my favorites to see in the draft.
Or the moles I love playing as the moles, but hate playing against them. The burrows popping up somewhere leading to a small army of dark dwelling despots piling out and burning down a clearing is frustrating.

[oceanofstars]

I love the presentation of this video. I particularly enjoy the music you chose for each faction, and that you were kind and thoughtful enough to credit each track. Thank you for tracking this data for us!

[russellkid]

I'd love to see a similar poll for how fun factions are to play against.

[motyovszkimiklos]

what a great video. Nice illustrations, great script, liked the different music choices for each faction

[aurahdz]

At first I thought it was a coincidence that my bf and I had literally the opposite order for factions, then I realized he just likes high reach/militant factions while I like low reach/insurgent factions

[wheelskis]

This is fantastic. I appreciate your qualitative/quantitative research. More if this for other board games/topics in board games would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

[luken]

had so much fun watching this cole. so well done mate. can't wait to see more!

[meeb_consumer]

Marquise is pretty fun. Not super amazing but cool ig. They're very vanilla, but in the best way. Very skill based.

[christopherspinzor]

Thanks for your thoughts throughout and your list! Still think you’re crazy for having the cats at #1, but the game as a whole is awesome so I guess it’s okay. Got the otters right up top so you’ve got some priorities straight!

[comp.lex]

moles are quickly becoming one of my favorite factions... the end of this video really surprised me D:

[doubleocbh]

Appreciate the effort of putting everything together Cole! I am one of the contributor that ranked badgers #1. Feel relieved when playing in a game against moles as badgers, while they receive so much heat and hate 😂. I always agree with the table “Yeah!! Get them!!!” 😌

[mr.nelson]

I did predict the #1 about half way through. The comments by top and lowest voters were interesting as well as your analysis and commentary.

[AirTails]

10. Vagabond: it's not _un_fun to play, but it kinda feels dirty to play knowing that even with infamy house rules they're rather imbalanced. Those who police you gain nothing else in return, and when you're policed you just check out for a turn.

9. Corvid Conspiracy: on paper they're fun, but I kinda struggle to use them well, as most do it seems.

8. Riverfolk: I _really_ want to rank them higher, but I just suck as them. I've researched, I've tried to employ strats, it never seems to work out for me. I think the difficulty of getting warriors out is another put-off compared to other factions.

7. Eyrie: I actually really like them, and I don't have much to say other than that I just like everything else more.

6. Marquise: the cats have grown on me recently, they can have a particularly interesting endgame state depending on the factions and building slots in play. Like the moles, being able to quickly generate a swarm of kitties has its appeal.

5. Duchy: they feel somewhat like cats, but I prefer the ease of crafting and the ministers system. The ability to pop up anywhere on the map is always interesting.

4. Hundreds: while their gameplan is somewhat set in stone, doesn't make it any less fun. The mood choices can be surprisingly impactful, and it's always satisfying when the others fail to quell a mob before your next turn as their precious buildings turn to ash.

3. Lizard Cult: It says a lot that they're so popular despite having erratic action potential turn by turn. Their gardens causing rule headaches, and devilishly well-timed birdsong conspiracies like sanctify and convert make them refreshing agents of chaos.

2. Woodland Alliance: while they do become rather routine once you get used to them, they often put a very clear time bomb on the game, because unless the whole board works against you, you WILL explode in VP at some point. Card toll booths can be fun to mess with factions like Eyrie, Duchy, and Keepers, making them second guess their desired destinations. The game plan doesn't get old to me, I love collecting supporters and making everyone sweat about revolts.

1. Keepers: while they're incredibly complex to pull off well, the level of point economy they have, along with the interesting relic interactions (ignore a hit, but give away an extra point and have it tossed to a far forest if you lose it) make them both fair and satisfying imo. You often have to plan things out for the following turns, so while they can rocket ahead they also project hard what their intentions are. Messing with their card economy can really throw them off too. But anyway they're just so much fun to play for me, can amass a death wall of badgers...and I love the silver meeples :x

[sylvanas]

With how much you were insulting the moles at the end, I’m surprised they weren’t last for you
Also, ranking lizards at 10th is heresy, but you ranked cats at #1 so you are forgiven.

[AlgidSquid]

14:28 I would not call you a hypocrite for this. With the cats, while your actions are limited in number, they are yours to do with as you please. On the other hand, the lizards can get locked out of taking meaningful actions by opponents manipulating the lost souls. The cats have to weigh which course of action will be best for them. The lizards have to hope the rest of the table is kind enough to let the outcast shift to the suit in which all the important stuff is actually happening. (This is coming from someone who enjoys playing lizards)

Also, love seeing the badgers so high on the list! They’re my favorite!

[lycanfangtv]

honestly the birds are probably my least favorite faction. also, I feel like this data states that the marauder expansion is the most worthwhile expansion to buy.

[seanchamberlain]

loved this video! what song did you use for the bgm for the corvids?? it sounds so familiar but i can't put a finger on where i heard it